The withdrawal of Aitken Spence (AS) from the Colombo South Harbour Terminal project has left its Chinese partner with a nagging problem: Is it now technically qualified to handle it alone? The issue is also raising concerns that this could be a flawed deal on the lines of Lanka Marine Services (LMS), Waters' Edge and Sri Lanka Insurance Corporation (SLIC), in all cases where the proper process wasn't followed.

Mattala International Airport has generated interest among international carriers ahead of its scheduled opening on November 15. "Most airline operators expressed interest to operate to Mattala, but ultimately it comes to commercial viability," Civil Aviation Authority Director General H.M.C. Nimalsiri told the Business Times on Wednesday.